Paris Hilton and US Energy Policy
Now I’m scared. Paris Hilton has jumped into the Presidential race fray thanks to John McCain’s perhaps ill-advised decision to compare Barrack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. (See fellow blogger Clayton’s summary.) In return, Ms. Hilton came out with a professional-looking, tongue-in-cheek riposte that can only be described as… both an illuminating 
look into American celebrity culture and traditional politics, as well as what we should all understand as a snapshot into how speechwriting can make or break you.
While part satire (at least I hope) by calling McCain the “old guy” and Obama “the other guy” and her credentials as being a celebrity and being “hot”, the scary part is when she presents her solution to her understanding of the opposing McCain-Obama energy policies (Arctic drilling vs. new energy technology).
She then goes on to present a very articulate alternative, proposing limited Arctic drilling with strict environmental controls that would allow America to bridge until new technologies would be able to come online. Leaving aside the paucity of detail (this is a spoof video… I hope), I challenge any other viewer to watch and not feel that her presentation was articulate and seemingly well-thought-out.
Slick, professional presentation, coupled with intelligent speechwriters who know a) how to craft a phrase, and b) say all the right words (”strict environmental controls” indeed) can get the average candidate pretty far. In fact, some might argue *cough* George Bush *cough*, it can get the below average candidate pretty far.
“I’ll see you at the debates bi*c*es.” If only.
Read More on the Energy Debates:
- Why Liberals Should Be Happy Obama Changed His Position on Offshore Drilling
- McCain Calls for More Offshore Drilling - What Else Would He Say in Houston?
- Obama Pushes Back with Renewed Focus on Energy
Image: casasroger via flickr under a Creative Commons LIcense
Hilton’s spoof video is brilliant! As you said, she was articulate, her delivery was perfect and deliciously tongue and cheek.
And it really does go to show you that it is all about the speech writers behind the scenes that can make or break a politician or celebrity.
And btw David, I think it’s pretty obvious that Paris’ speech was coached - I’m not saying Paris is dumb, nor that she is sharing her opinion on the matter, but the video is very professionally produced and is too clean and perfectly worded (using the proper ‘green’ terminology) to not be written for her.
I meant ‘nor that she is NOT sharing her opinion’.
[...] and the other 57% want strict environmental controls (anyone else remember Paris Hilton’s comments?). And let’s not forget that the first state that has an environmental disaster will then [...]
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